UN Wants Investigation Into Death Of Chilean Peacekeeper

News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Thurs. April 6, 2015: The United Nations is urging a swift investigation into the shooting death of a Chilean peacekeeper in Haiti.

The Chilean soldier of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Second Sergeant Rodrigo Andres Sanhueza Soto died after fatal injuries from a gunshot wound he received on Monday when his military vehicle was fired upon by violent protesters in the area of Ouanaminthe.

Soto’s killing prompted strong condemnations from the UN mission on the ground as well as the Secretary-General and Security Council at the world body’s Headquarters.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday called for a swift investigation and urged the Haitian authorities to do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.

His Special Representative in Haiti, Sandra Honoré, offered UN police support in this regard and called for the perpetrator to be brought to justice without delay.

“Armed violence is a criminal act which not only endangers people’s security but also the gains in peace and stability which the Haitian population has achieved so far,” Honoré said.

In New York, members of the UN Security Council issued a statement saying they looked forward to the completion of a full and comprehensive investigation to determine the facts and circumstances of the incident.